Downtown Newcastle

07/25/2026

DAY 2 IS HERE!
Today is the day Rockin' River Fest comes alive from sunrise to well after dark.

Downtown Newcastle is filled with classic cars, local vendors, live entertainment, family activities, great food, and tonight's Rockin' River Country Concert featuring Brett Kissel.

Saturday Schedule:

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
SHOW N' SHINW - Around Queen Elizabeth Park

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Market in the Park – Queen Elizabeth Park

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Folk in the Park – Queen Elizabeth Park

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Car Show Registration – Festival HQ Tent (Main Stage Area)

10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Art Gallery at the Kin – Beaverbrook Kin Centre

11:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Food Court Open – Newcastle Riverfront

10:00 AM - 5 PM
GellyBall Battle – Beaverbrook Kin Centre Back Lawn

Rockin' River Country Concert:
Doors Open – 6:00 PM
Amber Walls & Amelia Underhill – 7:00 PM
Brett Kissel – 9:00 PM
Signal Hill After Party

Concert tickets will be available at the gate for $100

OR BUY THEM ONLINE:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/brett-kissel-signal-hill-live-with-amelia-underhill-amber-walls-tickets-1976525642403?aff=oddtdtcreator

Whether you're joining us for the show n shine, spending the day exploring the festival, or heading to tonight's concert, we can't wait to welcome you to Downtown Newcastle.

Let's make Day 2 the biggest day of Rockin' River Fest yet.

07/25/2026

As the lights come on, the music starts, and thousands of people gather to celebrate our community this weekend, it's important to remember something...

Festivals like Rockin' River Fest don't happen by accident.

They happen because businesses, organizations, governments, volunteers, performers, and community champions choose to believe in something bigger than themselves. They invest not only their dollars, but also their trust, their time, and their belief in what this festival can bring to our community.

To every one of our sponsors—from our Presenting Sponsor to our Community Sponsors—thank you for standing beside us. Your support helps create unforgettable concerts, family activities, fireworks, local entertainment, children's programming, community gatherings, and memories that will be talked about long after the final song is played.

When you support the businesses that support events like this, you're helping ensure these traditions continue for years to come. We encourage everyone enjoying the festival this weekend to thank these businesses, visit them, and support them whenever you can. They are investing back into Miramichi, and our community is stronger because of it.

On behalf of our Board of Directors, volunteers, staff, and the entire Rockin' River Fest family...

Thank you for believing in this festival. Thank you for believing in our community.

We truly couldn't do it without you. ❤️

07/24/2026

Welcome to Day 1 of Rockin' River Fest 2026!
The wait is over... Rockin' River Fest officially kicks off TODAY!

From classic cars cruising the streets, live music across multiple stages, local artists, great food, family entertainment, shopping, and an incredible night capped off with fireworks over the Miramichi River, there's something happening from afternoon right through the evening.

Here's everything happening Friday, July 24:

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Cruise Day – Miramichi Dream Drive
No registration. No schedule. Just cruise the river at your own pace!

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Car Show Registration
Festival Headquarters Tent – Main Stage Area

5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Market in the Park
Queen Elizabeth Park

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Gallery at the Beaverbrook Kin Centre
100 Newcastle Blvd.

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Folk Music in the Park
Queen Elizabeth Park

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
LOCAL Arts & Culture Stage
Ritchie's Wharf Park
• 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Ella Campbell
• 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – The Toe Jammers

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM -> CANCELED
Washer Toss Tournament -> CANCELED

5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Food Court
Newcastle Riverfront

6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Kids Event at Ritchie's Wharf
Presented by The Point Church
• Live Family Game Show (7:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
• Outdoor Movie – The Super Mario Bros. Movie (8:00 PM – 9:30 PM)

6:45 PM
Official Opening Ceremony
Main Stage Area

7:00 PM – Nightfall
FREE Street Dance featuring Swamp Boyz
Main Stage - all ages welcome

Nightfall
Opening Night Fireworks
Presented by 99.3 The River
Ritchie's Wharf

Immediately Following the Fireworks
Swamp Boyz return to the Main Stage and keep the party going until 11:00 PM!

Whether you're coming for the music, the cars, the market, the food, the family activities, or the fireworks, today is the perfect day to experience everything Rockin' River Fest has to offer.

We'll see you in Downtown Newcastle. Let's kick off a real banger of a weekend!

Don't miss the biggest night of the summer!

On Saturday, July 25, country superstar Brett Kissel takes the Main Stage alongside Signal Hill, with special guests Amber Walls and Amelia Underhill.

Online ticket sales close at 4:00 PM on Saturday, after which tickets will only be available at the gate for $100: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/brett-kissel-signal-hill-live-with-amelia-underhill-amber-walls-tickets-1976525642403?aff=oddtdtcreator

⭐ Local Ticket Locations:
• N&J Convenience
• Blackville Irving
• MILLBANK MUSIC
• Goodie Shop Restaurant
• The Classic Bar

07/24/2026

🚧 Street Closure Notice – Rockin' River Fest 2026 🚧
As we prepare to welcome thousands of visitors to Downtown Miramichi for Rockin' River Fest, several streets will be temporarily closed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Road closures will be in effect:
Friday, July 24
Saturday, July 25
Sunday, July 26

The following areas will be affected:
• Henry Street
• Jail Street
• Ellen Street
• A portion of Ledden Street along the riverfront
• A portion of Newcastle Boulevard

These temporary closures are essential to safely accommodate festival attendees, volunteers, vendors, performers, emergency services, and event operations.

Suggested Public Parking:
• 15 Jane Street
• Along Pleasant Street
• Miramichi Civic Centre
• Jane Street (end of Ledden Street)

While you're enjoying the festival, we encourage you to take some time to visit our incredible downtown businesses. Whether you're looking for a meal, coffee, shopping, or local services, our merchants would love to welcome you. Festivals like this bring thousands of people into our downtown, and supporting our local businesses helps strengthen our community long after the festival.

If you're planning to attend the festival, we encourage you to come spend a large part of your day with us, use one of the suggested parking areas, and follow all posted detours and traffic signage.

We sincerely appreciate the patience and support of our residents, businesses, and visitors as we host one of the largest weekends of the summer. Your cooperation helps make Rockin' River Fest a safe, successful, and memorable event for our entire community.

We'll see you downtown this weekend!

07/23/2026

The stage is set for an incredible weekend of local talent at Rockin' River Fest!

Join us at the Arts & Culture Stage at Ritchie's Wharf Park all weekend long as we showcase an outstanding lineup of Miramichi and regional performers. Remember; it's FREE!

Whether you're taking a break between festival activities, visiting the local shops, or simply looking to relax by the river, there's always live entertainment waiting for you.

Friday, July 24 - Pre-fireworks!
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Ella Campbell
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | The Toe Jammers

Saturday, July 25
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Second Wind
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Dillon Ryan
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Kylie Watson
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Tyrone & Donna Hubbard

Sunday, July 26
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Stressed Out Charlee
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Terry Whalen

Come down, enjoy the waterfront, support local musicians, and experience another great part of everything Rockin' River Fest has to offer. Admission to the Arts & Culture Stage is free, so bring a lawn chair, bring your friends, and spend some time with us at Ritchie's Wharf Park.

Sponsored by Downtown Newcastle Business Association

07/16/2026

This is BIG festival news! Friday, July 24th!

THEY SAID THEY WERE LEAVING... BUT THEY'RE BACK!!!!!!!! 💖 After a brief and dramatic exit, the Rockin' River Fest Fireworks Show has made its triumphant return to the schedule!

Join us Friday, July 24 at nightfall as we light up the Miramichi River and kick off an incredible weekend of festival fun. After all, sometimes the best encores happen before the show even starts!

🎶 SWAMP BOYZ take the stage at 7:00 PM for our free street dance, followed by the return of our fireworks spectacular at dark, then again the band takes to the stage until 11pm.

A few days ago, we made the difficult decision to cancel the fireworks due to an unexpected funding gap. We know how much this tradition means to our community, and as a board, we weren't ready to give up on it just yet.

That's when 99.3 The River and MBS Radio stepped forward.

Their support goes far beyond sponsorship. They recognized what these fireworks mean to families, to our festival, and to the memories that are made along the Miramichi River every summer. Their commitment and belief in this community made it possible to keep one of our favourite festival moments alive.

To 99.3 The River and MBS Radio: thank you for helping us turn disappointment into celebration!!!

So pack your lawn chairs, bring the family, and join us Friday night for a full evening of FREE entertainment, live music, and fireworks over the river.

And then, keep the party going on Saturday night when country star Brett Kissel, Signal Hill, Amelia Underhill, and Amber Walls take over the main stage for what promises to be one of the biggest nights of the summer.

🎟️ Tickets for the Saturday night concert are available now: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/brett-kissel-signal-hill-live-with-amelia-underhill-amber-walls-tickets-1976525642403?aff=oddtdtcreator

The fireworks are back.

Let's make this one of the best weekends of the summer!

07/15/2026

Happening next weekend - Downtown Newcastle come alive with SO many new pieces to this event!

07/08/2026

Get your tickets before July 10th and be entered in to win a meet and greet with Brett Kissel and a VIP upgrade.

ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT TO ENTER!
There are just 2 days remaining to get your name in for our Meet & Greet VIP Upgrade Draw with Brett Kissel!

Purchase your tickets by July 10 and you'll be entered to win one of FOUR VIP upgrades, including:

⭐ Access to the VIP Tent
⭐ A backstage meet & greet with Brett Kissel before the show
⭐ VIP drink tickets
⭐ The ultimate Rockin' River experience!

The draw will take place on July 11, and our winners will be announced that same day right here on our page.

And remember; every ticket purchased to date has already been entered, so if you've already grabbed your tickets, you're in! [both in-store purchases and online purchases qualify]

Don't wait until the last minute. Secure your tickets today and you could be hanging out backstage with one of Canada's biggest country stars on July 25!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/brett-kissel-signal-hill-live-with-amelia-underhill-amber-walls-tickets-1976525642403?aff=oddtdtcreator

In-store tickets available at:
• N&J Convenience
• Blackville Irving
• Millbank Music
• The Classic
• Goodie Shop Restaurant

07/04/2026

BIG FUN coming to Downtown Newcastle as apart of the Rockin' River Fest - Miramichi July 25 - fun for the whole family!

💥 GELLYBALL BATTLE IS COMING TO ROCKIN' RIVER FEST! 💥
Looking for something the whole family can jump into? Head to the Beaverbrook Kin Centre Back Lawn on Saturday, July 25 and experience the excitement of GellyBall Battle!

GellyBall is all the fun of paintball without the mess or the sting! Using small, soft, biodegradable water gel beads, it's a safe and action-packed activity that's perfect for kids, teens, parents, and anyone looking to have some fun.

Safe for all ages
Family-friendly fun
No experience needed
Just show up and play!

Whether you're challenging your friends, your kids, or your parents, it's the perfect way to add some friendly competition to your Rockin' River Fest experience.

Rockin' River Fest
Saturday, July 25 - 10am - 5pm
Beaverbrook Kin Centre Back Lawn

No registration required. Just stop by, gear up, and let the battle begin! 💚💙